systemic
sis-TEM-ik
/sɪˈstemɪk/
Relating to or affecting an entire system, structure, or organization, rather than individual isolated parts.
Emphasizes that problem causes are built into structural rules rather than being individual anomalies.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'systema' through Late Latin. Medical writers adopted 'systemic' in the 19th century for diseases affecting the whole body, before social scientists applied it to institutions.
Word relationships
- structural: Structural highlights the architecture or rules of a system, while systemic highlights how those rules permeate the whole entity.
- pervasive: Pervasive means spread throughout, but systemic highlights that the spread stems from institutional design.
- localized: Localized affects only a specific isolated part or geographic node.
- isolated: Isolated refers to rare individual occurrences independent of broader system mechanics.
Commonly confused with
- systemic vs systematic: Systemic means affecting the entire operating system; systematic means methodical, planned, or step-by-step.
Word family
- system (noun): A complex whole made of interconnected parts.
- systemically (adverb): In a manner that affects an entire system.
Collocations
- systemic risk
- systemic inequality
- systemic reform
- systemic failure
Example sentences
- "Regulators introduced strict capital controls to mitigate systemic risk across the banking sector." Financial systems
- "Addressing systemic poverty requires reforming housing, education, and labor institutions simultaneously." Social science
Memory hook
SYSTEM-ic = built into the SYSTEM itself. Systemic means the whole machine is affected.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'systematic', which means done according to a step-by-step plan or methodical process.
Fun facts
- In medicine, a 'systemic infection' affects the entire bloodstream, which directly mirrors its economic usage for widespread market failures.
Related words
Explore more words
societal, remedial, interconnectedness, analogy, reform, analytical
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